Game's Extra

The sun peeked through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds. Aiden, already dressed and ready, grabbed his bag and made his way to the classroom. As he entered, he spotted his teammates gathered near one of the windows. They waved him over.

"Morning," Elena greeted with a small smile. "Thanks for walking me to the dormitory last night."

Aiden shrugged. "It was nothing. Glad you got back safely."

Tomas smirked. "Chivalrous, aren't we?"

"Knock it off," Aiden replied, rolling his eyes. "Let's just focus on today."

Elena nodded, shifting the conversation. "Alright, we need to refine our plan before the test. Everyone clear on their roles?"

"Crystal," Felix said. "But let's go over it one more time, just in case."

For the next twenty minutes, the team discussed their strategy, ensuring every detail was covered. Aiden, as usual, kept his 'Overhaul' power a secret, continuing to play the role of a regular warrior. He suggested basic tactics and kept his contributions practical, avoiding drawing attention to himself.

Finally, Instructor Roan arrived, flanked by two mages dressed in official academy robes. His booming voice silenced the chatter in the room.

"Alright, listen up!" Roan began. "Today's test will push your teamwork and individual skills to the limit. Here's how it works: In the forest ahead, there are 100 flags scattered around. Your goal is simple—collect as many as you can. The team with the most flags wins."

The students murmured in excitement and nervousness.

Roan continued, "A few rules. First, no killing or crippling other students. Second, you're allowed to steal flags from other teams. And third, the forest isn't just empty—there are monsters inside."

At this, the murmurs turned into gasps. A student raised his hand. "Monsters? Are you serious?"

Roan smirked. "Don't wet yourselves. They're weak, but they're there. Think of them as… bonus challenges. Speaking of which, some of the flags are placed on monsters. Take them down, and you get the flag. Any other questions?"

Another student raised her hand. "Do we get points for defeating monsters?"

"No," Roan said. "Only flags count. The monsters are just obstacles. Anything else?"

When no one else spoke, Roan gestured to the two mages. "Alright, each team, step onto a teleportation circle. These will place you randomly within the forest. The test begins the moment you land. Good luck, and don't disappoint me."

Aiden's team approached one of the glowing circles. The magical energy hummed softly as they stepped inside. In an instant, the mages activated the spell, and a wave of nausea washed over them as the teleportation magic took hold.

Aiden steadied himself as the world around him shifted and solidified. The team found themselves in a lush green forest, the sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Birds chirped in the distance, and the faint rustle of leaves hinted at the presence of wildlife.

"Everyone alright?" Elena asked, glancing around.

Tomas groaned. "Barely. That teleport messed me up."

"Focus," Felix said. "We need to set up a base camp first. This test might last the whole day."

The group agreed and began gathering sticks and leaves for a temporary shelter. Aiden took charge of building the camp. Using his Overhaul ability subtly, he fused sticks together into a sturdy frame and layered leaves on top to create a roof. To the others, it looked like he was just skilled with his hands.

"Impressive work," Olivia said, admiring the small hut.

Aiden shrugged. "Just common sense."

Tomas raised an eyebrow. "Common sense doesn't usually result in perfectly angled structures."

Aiden scratched the back of his head. "Beginner's luck, I guess."

Elena shot him a curious look but didn't comment.

Once the camp was ready, the team divided tasks. Aiden volunteered to hunt for food while Elena, Felix, and Olivia set out to search for flags. Tomas stayed behind to watch over the camp and prepare a fire pit.

Using his Overhaul ability discreetly, Aiden reformed a sturdy branch into a sleek spear, its tip honed to perfection. As he ventured deeper into the forest, he stumbled upon a clear stream. The cool water glistened under the sunlight, and Aiden couldn't resist taking a handful to drink.

"Refreshing," he muttered, wiping his mouth. Spotting fish swimming in the stream, he waded in carefully and used his spear to hunt. After an hour, he managed to catch six decent-sized fish.

Back at the camp, Tomas had successfully built a small fire. Aiden handed him the fish, and Tomas began cooking them over the flames. The aroma filled the air as the two waited for the others to return.

After about thirty minutes, Elena, Felix, and Olivia emerged from the trees, carrying four flags. Elena held them up triumphantly. "Not bad for a first haul."

"How'd you get them?" Tomas asked.

"One was at the top of a tree," Felix explained. "Another was hidden behind a boulder. The other two were just lying out in the open."

"Good work," Aiden said. "The fish should be ready soon."

They sat around the fire, sharing stories of their brief adventures while enjoying the meal. The warm food and camaraderie lifted their spirits, preparing them for the challenges ahead.

"Alright," Elena said, standing up after they finished eating. "We're doing well so far, but we can't lose momentum. Let's split up again and hunt for more flags."

The team nodded in agreement, ready to face whatever the forest had in store for them.